Former champions Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe said they had no idea that they violated Australian Open rules after launching a public protest against Margaret Court on Tuesday.
The tennis icons, who have won 25 grand slam singles trophies between them, made headlines following their legends doubles match on the Margaret Court Arena. Navratilova climbed into the umpire’s chair to address the crowd before getting her microphone also cut off. The protests evolved around calls to removes Court’s name from one of the premier arena’s of the grand slam due to her controversial views.
“I’ve been speaking out about an issue for a while now and John McEnroe is here to join me and push the conversation forward…’ she said before getting cut off.
Following Navratilova’s action, she and McEnroe then held a banner which read ‘Evonne Goolagong.Arena.’ The name of the player they think should replace that of Court. Goolagong is a former world No.1 and seven-time major winner. She contested every final of the Australian Open held between 1971-1976.
https://twitter.com/KevinCChang/status/1222046732101529601
The protests coincide with Tennis Australia’s decision to mark the 50th anniversary of Court’s golden grand slam earlier in the week. Although it turned out to be a low-key event. The 77-year-old, who is now a Christian Pastor, has come under fire after a series of controversial remarks she has made, especially against the LGBTI community. She once said that the women’s tour was ‘full of lesbians‘ and during her playing career described Navratilova as a ‘bad role model’ due to her sexuality. In other incidents she also boycotted Qantas airlines due to their support of marriage equality, publicly criticised former player Casey Dellacqua for having a baby with her same-sex partner and claimed gender-fluid people are the ‘work of the devil.’
Even Tennis Australia has distanced themselves from Court. Saying their decision to mark the 50th anniversary was to pay tribute to her achievements and not her as a person. In a statement published before the tournament, organisers said that Court’s views do not reflect that of their own.
Nevertheless, Navratilova’s and McEnroe’s actions have landed them in hot water. Tennis Australia said that both of them ‘broke protocol’ at the tournament, but are unlikely to face any further penalty. However, both have since apologise.
“I had no idea there was this kind of protocol. Had I known I would have done it differently,” Navratilova told The Tennis Channel.
“But I would still have tried and made my statement, which is basically you name buildings after not what people just did on the court but also off the court, the whole body of work.”
McEnroe, who is one of the on-court interviewers at this year’s tournament, has also issued a statement of apology.
“Admittedly I was never one to study the rule book carefully or for that matter, even at times abide by the rules. For that I apologise to Tennis Australia and recognise and appreciate the great job they have done to make the Australian Open a great event for the fans, players and myself.”
Despite the apology, neither Navratilova or McEnroe are backing down in their argument to rename the Margaret Court Arena. However, Tennis Australia is yet to indicate that they will even consider such a motion.
